Jessica Ryan

Jessica Ryan of Bloomfield, N.J. is a Literature/English major in the Teacher Education program. She is a member of the Honors Program and the Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. She is also a consultant at the Center for Reading and Writing and a substitute teacher at Bloomfield School District.

Jessica served as a Senator-at-Large and the Secretary of Programming in the Student Government Association for three years. She is published in Trillium, the college magazine, and The Ramapo News. Currently she is a writer for YardCouch.com and hosts her own podcast, Just Kidding Podcast, on Spotify.

In Spring 2021 Jessica will be entering a student-teaching role at Bloomfield High School, alongside working as an editorial intern at Princeton University Press.

Awarded Scholarships

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2021

Hiden Family College Honors Endowment

Robert B. Hiden Jr. was an active member of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors since 2002.  He provided exemplary service to the board as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Allocations Committee and the Motorcycle Rally Committee.  He and his wife Ann established the Hiden Family College Endowment to “tangibly recognize the outstanding work done at the College in a way that helps students and hopefully enhances their academic experience.”

During his time as a member of the Board of Governors, Bob witnessed the growth of the College first hand.  He demonstrated a commitment to this growth through financial support for unrestricted funds and events, contributions for the Havemeyer Edible Garden, and for science equipment for students.

Professionally, Bob served as senior counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell since he retired in 2000.  He had been a partner since 1968, specializing in corporate and securities law, acquisitions, and in commodities and derivatives law.  Sadly, Mr. Hiden passed away in February of 2018.

Topken, Marina and William Teacher Education Scholarship

Marina Topken graduated from Ramapo College in 1987 with a degree in American and International Studies. She taught and translated German at several language institutions in the area and tutors children in underserved schools in Paterson, NJ. Mrs. Topken has been a steady supporter of the College’s The Fund for Ramapo College since 1997. She and her husband William have been involved with the Friends of Ramapo for many years and were instrumental in raising funds for the Friends. Mrs. Topken served as the Friends’ president and Mr. Topken as the group’s treasurer.

In 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Topken established this endowed scholarship fund to honor the positive relationship they have shared with the College and their commitment to education. Specifically, the Topken Scholarship benefits teacher education students who demonstrate community service and leadership at Ramapo.

Franklin, Bonnie Driskill Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by John Franklin to honor his late wife Bonnie, who served as assistant vice president for Marketing and Communications at Ramapo College. In creating this scholarship, Mr. Franklin sought to honor Bonnie’s passion for reading, and how she instilled that passion in her children and grandchildren. He also sought to memorialize Bonnie’s devotion to family, children, education, art, literature and democratic values.

In writing down his thoughts on the impetus for the Bonnie Franklin Memorial Scholarship, John Franklin wrote, “Bonnie Driskill Franklin was an early reader … who never stopped reading all her life.” He described how Bonnie passed this gift to her children, a tradition they continue with their children. “And so her children and grandchildren have learned much about art, literature and the interconnectedness of all humanity,” he wrote.

John describes how Bonnie translated this gift into her work life and as a volunteer. “In her career Bonnie was engaged in research, writing and public relations at the Cincinnati Public Library, County College of Morris and Ramapo College where she was assistant vice president for Marketing and Communications. She was part of many reading groups, the League of Women Voters, Women in Communication in New Jersey, The Unitarian Universalist Church and other organizations.”

“This scholarship is dedicated with the hope that others, especially men, will be inspired to take an interest in children’s literature and its use in helping children and parents enjoy life fully,” John continues. “It is hoped that through children’s literature we will find ways to promote tolerance and understanding of ourselves and others.”

Specifically, John’s purposes in establishing the Bonnie Franklin Memorial Scholarship are to encourage and support students who are interested in children’s literature as a means of helping children develop intellectually and emotionally; the development of social and emotional intelligence as a part of our education system; advocating for children’s literature as a means of helping parents do a better job of reading to their children; advocating for children’s literature as a means of helping men find their role in child development; developing knowledge and understanding of literature that helps children appreciate diversity of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, gender preference, and physical ability.